Luciano: Manzellas continue fight of their lives

Tuesday

Jun 7, 2011 at 12:01 AMJun 7, 2011 at 6:03 AM

Cancer killed Rich Manzella, but it didn't beat him.

Phil Luciano

Cancer killed Rich Manzella, but it didn't beat him.

The fight ended Thursday, but the score rests solidly in his favor. He lasted longer than many expected. He squeezed more out of his last months than most people do in a lifetime. And his two young children know that their dad fought dearly to stay with them as long as possible.

Beyond that, he and wife Veronica have inspired countless others with a love and perseverance that upheld one another in the face of multiple challenges. Still facing cancer herself, Veronica pushes on as she buries her husband Tuesday.

"What got me through this journey was the outpouring of love and prayers that we received from family and friends, and people we never met," she says. " ... It honestly was Rich's sheer determination, combined with all of those prayers, that enabled Rich to keep fighting so hard."

The Normal couple's story found a soft spot with readers of this space. He was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in March 2010; two months later, doctors found she has breast cancer. Between cancer treatments and hospital stays, the 45-year-olds tried to push on with life and make memories for their children Matthew, 10, and Jennifer, 9.

The struggle was more physically brutal to Rich, who had his own practice in employment law, representing workers. Rich, theretofore an avid, healthy long-distance runner, spent much of the past 14 months doubled over in excruciating pain as he underwent chemotherapy.

To maintain health coverage, Veronica kept working at her not-for-profit organization - plus receive 33 radiation treatments, blasting her cancer into remission. Meanwhile, she got the youngsters to school and sports activities, plus took care of Rich.

"I did juggle work and the kids and Rich, but I did so with love and would do it again in a heartbeat," she says.

When he was at home, they'd stretch out family time when possible. If the kids had a soccer game, the family would skip the car in favor of walking, thereby extending their experiences together. And when he was in the hospital, she'd bring the children there to do homework, not only for family time but so the youngsters could stay apprised of their dad's health.

"Hopefully, the kids will understand how hard he fought and how much he wanted to stay with them," Veronica says. "I honestly believe, by their own words, that they truly know that.

"Rich did what he set out to do: fight as hard as he could, so the kids would know in their hearts that their daddy loved them beyond measure and that he will always be with us in our hearts."

Earlier this year, Rich went into the Heartland Health Care Center in Normal. Even as his strength waned, he kept trudging through the halls in his walker.

"It was as if he thought, 'If I keep moving, I'll be OK,' " Veronica says.

Late last month, his health nose-dived. About two weeks ago, Rich said his last words to Veronica: "I want to go home. Just take me home."

But that was impossible. He needed medical attention unavailable at home. Soon, he slipped into semi-consciousness.

"It broke my heart that such a vibrant man had come to that," Veronica says.

He couldn't eat or see, and he didn't much move. But once in a while, he would weakly struggle to push himself up, as if to try to leave. He did so even as a Roman Catholic priest delivered last rites - a memory that will always make Veronica smile.

"Even at the end, he didn't give up," she says, with a light laugh.

Shortly before 6 a.m. Thursday, Rich died in his hospital bed, Veronica at his side.

That day, daughter Jennifer still wanted to go to school. Long ago, Veronica had volunteered to help with special class activities that afternoon. They both went.

Later, son Matthew helped his mom pick out the suit and tie for his father's funeral, plus photos for the wake. Later, he looked at comments left by well-wishers on his mother's Facebook page. She asked how those posts made him feel.

"Daddy was a hero," he replied. "And a lot of people love us."

Indeed, since a story appeared here in October, the family has been deluged with encouraging and admiring emails and cards. Some detailed changes in their lives - more family time, less work focus - after observing the Manzellas.

A pal, Patti, wrote, "You two, through example to all of your friends and family, have shown a gut-wrenching strength, power, endurance, faith and sheer determination that we will all continue to draw on, now and in years to come. You two are winners, finalists and champions!"

Supporters, including a great many strangers, marveled at the way the couple repeatedly took on troubles, which extended beyond cancer. Last year, a tornado ripped apart Veronica's childhood home in Streator, leaving her parents homeless. His step-dad died unexpectedly last fall. And her maternal grandmother died Monday.

As friend Paula wrote, "Through all the hard times and struggles you have gone through you still let God lead your life and that is true belief! You are my inspiration."

Veronica still isn't sure if her breast cancer has remained in remission. Soon, she'll get more testing. For now, though, there are other tasks at hand, such as laying her husband to rest today at St. Stephen's Cemetery in her native Streator.

Next up: keeping the kids' lives moving forward as Veronica figures out her next steps. As a memorial to Rich, the family has requested donations for the kids' education: the address is at www.familybenefit.org/.

"God has a plan, but I don't know what it is," she says. "... It was so touching to know that so many people cared about us and that we did provide inspiration through our love and dedication.

"What is important in life is truly God, family and friends."

PHIL LUCIANO is a columnist with the Journal Star. He can be reached at pluciano@pjstar.com, 686-3155 or (800) 225-5757, Ext. 3155. Luciano co-hosts 'The Markley & Luciano Show' from 5:30 to 9 a.m. on 102.3 Max FM.